Arcade cabinet restoration?

Discussion in 'Video Games and Technology' started by Hook, Apr 21, 2015.

  1. Hook

    Hook The real Constructicon leader Veteran

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    I've been given a vintage Xevious arcade cabinet by a friend of mine.

    Since I am moving in 3 weeks, I don't have the cabinet yet, but will have it once I am settled in my new place.

    Apparently the cabinet worked find and suddenly stopped working.

    I have basic understanding of electronics, am good with a soldering iron and have built bazillions of computers in the past. But when it comes to arcade cabinets, I know nothing at all.

    I'd like to get this cabinet back in working condition, are there dedicated Web sites where I can find resources, how-tos and stuff like that?

    I remember that Shin Gouki used to work in an arcade, perhaps he has some useful info?
     
  2. The Barracuda

    The Barracuda Retro, bitches.

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    Nice gift from a friend. Is it in good shape?

    There's got to be instructions online somewhere. I was able to find a .pdf of the instructions to my Star Explorer home pinball machine from the late seventies. I assume someone's put up a trouble-shooting guide that may be able to help you pinpoint what exactly happened. It's either the board, the monitor or the wiring. Does it power up at all? Can you get audio but no video (or vice versa)?
     
  3. Hook

    Hook The real Constructicon leader Veteran

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    It's in pretty good shape. Haven't powered it up yet, won't be able until I get it in a few weeks.

    I'll scour the Web for a .pdf. There's bound to be a site that has it.
     
  4. The Barracuda

    The Barracuda Retro, bitches.

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    It's probably similar to a computer if you've ever had to discover a fault somewhere. Power supply, PCB, wiring short, monitor on the fritz (those old CRTs can suddenly die, especially if they're jostled too much being moved from place to place).

    Are you going to restore the machine as Xevious or revamp it into a new game/MAME? Gutting it and putting in new parts might solve your problem anyway.
     
  5. Autovolt 127

    Autovolt 127 Get In The Titan, Prime!

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    Can't wait to see pics of it when you're all settled and everything.
     
  6. Hook

    Hook The real Constructicon leader Veteran

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    My plan A is to restore it. If that fails, it's getting turned into a MAME arcade.
     
  7. Shin-Gouki

    Shin-Gouki Retired Admln Veteran

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    That's an understatement. I have worked in them and managed them on and off since 1989 when I was 14 for Sega, Namco, Jillian's and Dave and Busters.

    That said, we really need to fire it up and see what happens to really diagnose it. Give that a shot and we can go from there, it could be something as simple as a Power Supply, or it could be a Main Board or a Monitor, but going by someone saying it stopped working without giving it a shot is not going to get us far.

    Oh and Xevious is rare enough that if you turn it into a Mame Machine we are going to have words ;) 
     
  8. Hook

    Hook The real Constructicon leader Veteran

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    LOL it's a deal then. Keeping it a Xevious cabinet. Will keep you posted!
     
  9. Shin-Gouki

    Shin-Gouki Retired Admln Veteran

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    Sounds good old friend, wish I could be there to help with it.
     
  10. Hook

    Hook The real Constructicon leader Veteran

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    Finally got the chance to pick up the cabinet tonight.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The screen doesn't turn on, but the marquee and coin lights do. I've downloaded the maintenance manual, I'll have a good look at it to see if I can service the thing myself, otherwise there's a guy local to me that services old arcade cabinets.

    But either way, this is an impressive piece of furniture and it looks awesome in my mancave!
     
  11. Shin-Gouki

    Shin-Gouki Retired Admln Veteran

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    That is in great shape!
     
  12. planetjacker

    planetjacker Critters burn real good. TFW2005 Supporter

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    Looks real good. Congrats. Best of luck getting it going.
     
  13. The Barracuda

    The Barracuda Retro, bitches.

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    Nice! Some of those old machines were works of fucking art. This one's in amazing shape; just needs a good cleaning and you're good to go. I figure if anything the CRT monitor's just burned out so it should be an easy fix if parts are still available (unless you switch to a flat panel).
     
  14. Hook

    Hook The real Constructicon leader Veteran

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    The CRT turns on, I can see it glowing when I turn off the lights in the room. I'm thinking maybe the game card. I've read that many of these old cabs start working again once you unplug/plug the connectors and card and whatnot.

    I haven't seen any blown or bulging caps or burnt fuses, so I doubt it's anything too serious.
     
  15. Galaxy Convoy

    Galaxy Convoy Well-Known Member

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    Well, whatever you do, don't do what this dude in my neighborhood did. He scored a Galaga cab from somewhere, unloaded it in his driveway, and left it there and went somewhere. Apparently he didn't watch the news to know a storm was coming :/
     
  16. Hook

    Hook The real Constructicon leader Veteran

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    Oh, no worries there, it's safely stored in my mancave, away from the outside elements :D 
     
  17. Hook

    Hook The real Constructicon leader Veteran

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    So.

    Currently on summer vacay with the family, but that didn't stop me from burning holes in my pocket. I decided that I would restore the Xevious cab and sell it to a good friend of mine who has dibs on it.

    In the meantime, I've ordered for over $600CAN in various hardware... HDD, monitor, tank stick, coin door, vinyl cabinet art, wiring, neon lights, MDF wood pannels... You see where this is going? Yep, decided to scratch build a MAME arcade cabinet.

    Getting the Xevious cab has rekindled my love for old arcade games and even though I've got MAME on the XBox, it's not the same. I want the full arcade experience and build my own cab.

    So for now, I wait for those parts to get delivered (well, minus the wood, a friend of mine already bought it) and as soon as I get home this weekend, I will start the restoration on the Xevious cab.
     
  18. Shin-Gouki

    Shin-Gouki Retired Admln Veteran

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    I demand a build log!
     
  19. planetjacker

    planetjacker Critters burn real good. TFW2005 Supporter

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    I second this.
     
  20. Hook

    Hook The real Constructicon leader Veteran

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    Haha, I should have a few pics for you soon, got delivery notification for a few key items :D